President Monson died 1 year ago today. Here's how his 'legacy of love' lives on

President Thomas S. Monson’s casket is draped with flowers before the start of his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners and Boy Scouts line South Temple as the funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret NewsChurch President Thomas S. Monson’s casket is brought into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsPeople line up for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPresident Henry B. Eyring, left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wait for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsElder Dallin H. Oaks, center, a member of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reaches out to touch President Russell M. Nelson's arm before President Nelson spoke at President Thomas S. Monson's funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Elder M. Russell Ballard is on the left. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsThe funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsThe Tabernacle Choir sings during Church President Thomas S. Monson's funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsSister Ann M. Dibb, daughter of Church President Thomas S. Monson, speaks at his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPresident Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsThe Tabernacle Choir sings at Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Henry B. Eyring speaks at Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Eyring was one of President Monson's counselors. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPresident Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Dallin H. Oakes, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, arrive for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsGeneral Authorities wait for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsA mourner holds a program while waiting for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners wait for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMembers of President Thomas S. Monson's family watch as his casket is moved into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMembers of President Thomas S. Monson's family arrive at the Conference Center for President Monson's funeral in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsChurch President Thomas S. Monson’s casket it moved into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is draped with flowers before the start of his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners wait for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is draped with flowers before the start of his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Henry B. Eyring, left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wait for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Henry B. Eyring, left, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wait for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsElder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gives the invocation at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsSister Ann M. Dibb, daughter of President Thomas S. Monson, speaks his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners listen during President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsMourners attend President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Uchtdorf was one of President Monson's counselors. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson's casket is moved from a hearse to the gravesite at the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Monson was buried next to his wife, Frances. Photo: LDS ChurchPresident Henry B. Eyring speaks at LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Eyring was one of President Monson's counselors. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsFamily, friends and colleagues gather for Church President Thomas S. Monson's graveside service at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.President Henry B. Eyring speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Eyring was one of President Monson's counselors. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsThomas L. Monson, son of President Thomas S. Monson, offers a prayer of dedication for the final resting spot of his father at the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.President Thomas S. Monson at a neighborhood house, Dec. 14, 1988. Photo: Deseret Morning News ArchivesPresident Thomas S. Monson and President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, arrive at the cultural celebration held June 12, 2010, the evening before the dedication of the Cebu City Philippines Temple. Photo: Gerry AvantPresident Thomas S. Monson salutes as the University of Utah unveils the newly refurbished Enos A. Wall Mansion and name it The Thomas S. Monson Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. The mansion will become home to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Presidents Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Henry B. Eyring attend the event. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret NewsPresident Russell M. Nelson, president of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsThomas S. Monson married Frances Beverly Johnson in the Salt Lake Temple in 1948. Photo: Church News ArchivesFamily, friends and colleagues gather for President Thomas S. Monson' graveside service at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.President Thomas S. Monson always had the heart of a bishop. When he was bishop of the Sixth-Seventh ward, 1950-55, he had responsibility for more than 1,000 members. Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsElder Jeffrey R. Holland: “More than any man I have ever known, President Thomas S Monson did all he could for the widow and the fatherless, the poor and the oppressed. His life is something of a sacred manuscript upon which the Holy Ghost has written one remarkable spiritual message after another. He resolutely followed the promptings of the Spirit—always in the right place at the right time, always “on the Lord’s errand.” Photo: Image from FacebookMembers of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles attend the graveside service for President Thomas S. Monson at the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.Mourners listen during President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson with his wife, Frances, and children from left to right: Clark Monson, Thomas Monson and Ann Monson. Photo: Church News ArchivesPresident Thomas S. Monson's casket is moved from a hearse to the gravesite at the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Monson was buried next to his wife, Frances, Photo: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.President Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsElder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gives the benediction at President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is moved out of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is moved out of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret NewsA hearse leaves the Conference Center in Salt Lake City following funeral services for Church President Thomas S. Monson on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsThe funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsFamily members and members of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gather for graveside services for President Thomas S. Monson at the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for Church President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsPeople begin entering the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for President Thomas S. Monson's funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsThe funeral procession for President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsFamily members and members of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gather for graveside services for President Thomas S. Monson at the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMourners watch as the funeral procession for LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsFamily members and members of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gather for graveside services for President Thomas S. Monson at the Salt Lake City cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsMourners and Boy Scouts line South Temple as the funeral procession for President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret NewsMourners and Boy Scouts line South Temple as the funeral procession for President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret NewsPresident Dieter F. Uchtdorf gives a thumbs-up sign to Boy Scouts as the funeral procession for LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson makes its way to the Salt Lake City Cemetery on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. President Uchtdorf was a counselor to President Monson. Photo: Laura Seitz, Deseret NewsPeople walk toward the Conference Center in Salt Lake City for LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPeople line up for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPaul Nanney hands out tickets outside of the Conference Center for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsA line team member hands out tickets for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPeople line up outside the Conference Center for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsThe Utah flag flies at half-staff as people arrive for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPeople line up for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsSpencer S. Eccles and Spencer P. Eccles arrive for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsLynn Winkler gets a ticket from Daryl O. Wood for President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is brought into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsMitt Romney greets Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, before the funeral for President Thomas S. Monson at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsThe Tabernacle Choir sings at the beginning of President Thomas S. Monson's funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsPresident Thomas S. Monson’s casket is brought into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret NewsMembers of the Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles walk to their seats after President Thomas S. Monson’s casket was brought into the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Ravell Call, Deseret News

One year ago on Jan. 2, 2018, President Thomas Spencer Monson, 16th President of the Church, died peacefully in his home in Salt Lake City.

The prophet was 90 years old at his passing and had been called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at age 36 — making a total of 54 years that he had served as a General Authority. Previously, he had also been called as bishop at age 22 to a ward of over 1,000 members.

His funeral service was held in the Conference Center on Temple Square on January 12, 2018, where President Russell M. Nelson, President Henry B. Eyring, then-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Ann M. Dibb paid tribute to President Monson.

Concerning being sustained as President of the Church, President Monson told the Church News that, “I’ve always followed the philosophy, ‘Serve where you’re called, not where you’ve been or where you might be. Serve where you’re called.’”

“As I said the words, ‘May this be the dawning of a new day for the Church in this land,’ we heard a rooster crow in the valley below,’” he said. “A church bell began to chime. Then I felt warmth on my hands and face. After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and saw that the clouds had parted and a ray of sunshine was streaming down on the spot where we were standing. Before we could return to our automobile, the clouds had gathered and it began to rain again.”

A mourner holds a program while waiting for Church President Thomas S. Monson’s funeral to begin at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018. Photo: Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

At President Monson’s funeral, Sister Dibb spoke of her father’s great love for others and for his Savior, Jesus Christ.

“President Monson, by simply ‘trying his best,’ left an unforgettable legacy of love,” said Sister Dibb. “He loved the Lord and he loved people. He saw our potential and believed sincerely in our ability to change and progress through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

President Russell M. Nelson also spoke of President Monson’s lasting influence and his example of goodness.

“We are all better because of him," said President Nelson, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "And the Church is better because of him.”